Multi-sided knife stand assembly

ABSTRACT

Embodiments are directed towards a transparent stand assembly that has multiple faces for holding and showcasing a plurality of knives and/or other utensils. Disposed within each face is a plurality of magnets that are arranged to magnetically affix a knife blade to a face of the stand assembly. Because the stand assembly includes multiple faces, knifes or other ferrous utensils, may be magnetically affixed and showcased on any of the multiple faces. In one embodiment, the magnets may be arranged to extend beyond a surface of a face to hold a knife away from the stand assembly, allowing air to circulate around the knife. The transparency of the stand allows for viewing of knives through the different faces. The stand assembly may include a removal base or be of a thickness that enables the knife stand to be placed upright on a surface without a separate base for support.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to knife holder stands and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a transparent knife stand assembly having multiple faces and a plurality of magnets disposed within each face to hold and showcase knives or other utensils.

BACKGROUND

Today, not only does the professional chef, but the average consumer, seek to use a variety of different knives in their kitchens. These knives may vary in size and shape. A traditional means for holding a number of knives is the wood knife block. Typical wood knife blocks have a number of slots of varying lengths cut into a top of the block for receiving knives. However, many of the slots are sized for selected sized or shaped knives, thereby limiting where a given knife might be placed within the block.

While these wood blocks provide a functional method for storing knives, once the knives are inserted into the wood block, it may be difficult to ascertain which knife is which. That is, except for the handles of the knives, the size, the shape, or the length of each knife is hidden from view by the block. The chef must then guess by the handle which knife is which. Sometimes this causes frustration for the chef.

Moreover, today's harried chef may sometimes place a knife into these wood blocks while the knife is still wet. This may result in mildew or other less than desirable side-effects occurring within the block and/or on the damp knife. Thus, it is with respect to these considerations and others that the present invention has been made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will be made to the following Detailed Description, which is to be read in association with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is one embodiment illustrating a first face perspective view of a magnetic multi sided stand assembly usable to magnetically affix utensils;

FIG. 2 is another view of an embodiment of the magnetic multi-sided stand assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating one non-limiting display of utensils; and

FIGS. 3A-3B show embodiments of sectional side details illustrating different magnet configurations for the multi-sided stand assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments which may be practiced. This invention may however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “another embodiment,” as used herein indicates that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. However, the phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. Furthermore, the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments may be readily combined.

In addition, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the term “and/or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”

As used herein, the term “utensil” refers to any item or article having ferrous or ferromagnetic properties such that the item or article is magnetically attracted to a magnet, as described further below. As such, utensils include any of a variety of cutlery items, hand tools, kitchen tools, including knives, spoons, forks, and the like.

As used herein, the term “substantial” refers to being within some tolerance of being exact. For example, as used herein, substantially flush refers to two or more surfaces being at a same level as each other within some tolerance. Typically, the tolerance is based on manufacturing tolerances. Similarly, substantially perpendicular refers to two surfaces being within some tolerance of being directed ninety degrees from each other.

The following briefly describes the various embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This brief description is not intended as an extensive overview. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements, or to delineate or otherwise narrow the scope. Its purpose is merely to present some concepts in a simplified farm as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

Briefly stated, embodiments are directed towards a transparent knife stand assembly that has multiple faces for holding and showcasing a plurality of knives and/or other utensils. Disposed within each face are a plurality of magnets that are arranged to magnetically affix a knife blade to a face of the stand. Because the knife stand assembly includes multiple faces, knifes or other utensils, may be magnetically affixed and showcased on any of the multiple faces.

In one embodiment, the transparency of the stand assembly allows for viewing of knives or other utensils through an opposing face. For example, the stand may be constructed of a clear, acrylic material. However, other materials may also be used, including, but not limited to any of a variety of plastics, hardened glass, or the like. Moreover, in still other embodiments, the material may be tinted or otherwise colored, while maintaining a transparency characteristic. In one embodiment, however, the stand might include a slot down a center of the stand, between a first face and an opposing second face, for receiving photographs, recipes, or other materials that may be viewed through a face. Moreover, because the stand is transparent, each of the plurality of magnets is also visible through a face. Further, in at least one embodiment, an end of a magnet may be readily viewed when also viewing a respective face of the stand. In one embodiment, none of the stand material covers an end of each of the plurality of magnets.

The plurality of magnets may be shaped in a disk shaped plug configuration that is intended to be permanently attached into the stand. In one embodiment, the magnets may be elongated rods, or tubular shaped such that one end of a magnet is flush with a surface of a first face, while the other end of the magnet is flush with a surface of a second face opposing the first face. In still other embodiments, the plurality of magnets may not extend entirely through the stand, and instead, a subset of the plurality of magnets is attached into one face, while another subset of the plurality of magnets is attached into a different face of the stand.

The magnets may be arranged in various decorative patterns, across each face. Moreover, the magnets may be flush to each face, or extend perpendicularly outward from a face at a distance to allow air to circulate between an affixed utensil and a respective face of the stand. In one embodiment, the magnets may be circular in appearance when viewed with respect to a given face. However, other shapes of the magnets may also be employed, including, triangular, oval, star-shaped, heart-shaped, or the like.

The knife stand may include a removal base or be of a thickness that enables the knife stand to rest upright on a surface without a separate base for support such that the faces are substantially perpendicular to the resting surface.

PARTIAL LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   100 stand assembly     -   102 stand     -   103 top end of stand 102     -   104 bottom end of stand 102     -   105 base     -   106 plurality of magnets     -   108 first face of stand 102     -   110 second face of stand 102     -   114-115 magnets in a plurality of magnets 106     -   120 optional slot     -   214-216 non-exhaustive examples of utensils     -   313-315 non-exhaustive examples of side-views of utensils     -   318 a-c one embodiment of an elongated magnets extending beyond         faces of stand     -   320 one embodiment of elongated magnet having one end flush to a         first face and a second end being flush to a second face     -   322-323 non-exhaustive examples of magnets that do not extend         through the stand

ILLUSTRATIVE DESCRIPTIONS OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is one embodiment illustrating a first face perspective view of a magnetic multi-sided stand assembly 100 usable to magnetically affix utensils. Not all the components may be required to practice various embodiments, and variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made. However, as illustrated assembly 100 includes stand 102 having a first face 108 and a second face 110 that is opposed to first face 108. Stand 100 further includes a top end 103 and a bottom end 104.

Stand 102 further includes a plurality of magnets 106 that are disposed within each of first face 108 and second face 110. In one embodiment, the plurality of magnets 106 may be permanently attached to stand 102 so as to not be readily removable. The plurality of magnets 106 is arranged within and across each face to magnetically affix to stand 102 a utensil having ferrous properties. For example, in at least one embodiment, each magnet within the plurality of magnets 106 may provide a magnetic force that attracts and thereby attaches a ferrous utensil to the stand 102, until a sufficient force is applied to free the utensil. The force applied may vary, but typically may be between about 1 to about 10 pounds.

It should be noted that the number of magnets that comprise the plurality of magnets 106 may vary based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to a size, shape, arrangement, and/or geometry of each magnet, as well as an expected weight, shape and/or size of a utensil one desires to have affixed to stand assembly 100. In one embodiment, at least one of the plurality of magnets 106 has an effective magnetic attraction exerted upon a utensil to magnetically affix the utensil to stand assembly 100 absent of using a second magnet to affix and hold the utensil. Thus, in some embodiments, knives, or other smaller utensils, might be held to stand 102 using a single magnet. For example, paring knives, fruit knives, or the like, may be held in place with a single magnet, although other embodiments are not so limited.

Moreover, the arrangements of the plurality of magnets 106 across each of first face 108 and second face 110, may also vary. As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of magnets 106 are arranged in several rows of magnets that form a U-shaped, in an arrangement of concentric semi-circles across a face, a plurality of wavy patterns of magnets across a face, an inverted U-shaped pattern, or any of a variety of decorative patterns. However, other arrangements are also envisaged, and thus, embodiments are not to be construed as being limited to a particular configuration. For example, in one embodiment, the plurality of magnets 106 may be arranged in substantially parallel rows across a face of stand 102. While, in another embodiment, the plurality of magnets 106 may be biased (or otherwise positioned closer) towards a top 103 than a bottom 104 of stand 102, to allow shorter utensils ready access to one or more of the magnets.

Further, each magnet within the plurality of magnets 106 may take any of a variety of shapes, or sizes. For example, although illustrated in FIG. 1, as being elongated rods, or otherwise tubular in shape, each magnet may also be shaped to appeal to a consumer. For example, each magnet could have one end of the magnet shaped in the form of a star, a triangle, a heart, an oval, or the like. As is readily apparent, the decorative shaped end of the magnets is visible when viewing a respective face of stand 102.

As described further below in conjunction with FIGS. 3A-3B, each magnet may either extend through stand 102 such that each end of a magnet is flush with a surface of a respective face. In other embodiments, a magnet might extend beyond a surface of a face.

Stand 102 may be constructed of any material that is transparent, allowing a consumer to see through the faces to view utensils that may be affixed on an opposing face. In one embodiment, stand 102 is constructed of a non-ferromagnetic material, allowing the plurality of magnets 106 to be used to attach utensils to stand 102. In another embodiment, stand 102 may be constructed of a clear acrylic material. However, other transparent materials may also be used, including other transparent plastics, glass, or the like. Moreover, stand 102 may also be constructed of colored transparent materials. For example, for various holidays, events, or to appeal to various consumers, stand 102 may be transparent pink, red, blue, yellow, green, and/or a combination of one or more other transparent colors.

In one embodiment, assembly 100 includes base 105 that is attached to bottom 104 of stand 102. In one embodiment, assembly 100 may be configured out of a single material, such that stand 102 and base 105 are constructed together as a single unity component. However, in other embodiments, stand 102 and base 105 may be constructed as separate components that may be permanently joined. In other embodiments, base 105 may be removably attached to stand 102 using any of a variety of mechanisms, including, for example, screws, plugs, or even a dove-tail arrangement.

In other embodiments, however, stand 102 may be configured to be used without base 105. Thus, in some embodiments, stand 102 may be constructed to be of a thickness that enables bottom 104 of stand 102 to minimize a likelihood that stand 102 topples over when utensils are affixed unevenly across faces 108 or 110. In one embodiment, stand 102 may be constructed such that when bottom 104 rests on a surface, such as a table, or the like, first face 108 and second face 110 are substantially perpendicular to the resting surface.

In one embodiment, base 105 may also be constructed of a clear or even a colored transparent, non-ferromagnetic material. However, other embodiments are not so limited, and base 105 need not be transparent. Thus, in some embodiments, base 105 may be a solid color, or composed of a material that is different from the material used to construct stand 102. Moreover, although not illustrated, base 105 may include in a bottom that contacts a resting surface, various mechanisms to attach the assembly 100 to the surface, including, but not limited to suction cups, tape, or other materials. In one embodiment, the bottom of base 105 may also have various protective coatings, to minimize scratching of a surface.

Although stand 102 is designed to enable viewing through the faces, in at least one embodiment, where the plurality of magnets 106 do not extend entirely through stand 102 to opposing faces, a slot 120 may be positioned within stand 102 to enable insertion of a photograph, recipes, text, or other paper or plastic materials. In this manner, consumers or others may be free to enhance and customize an appearance of assembly 100.

FIG. 2 is another view of an embodiment of the magnetic multi-sided stand assembly 200 illustrating one non-limiting display of utensils. Assembly 200 of FIG. 2 shows one possible arrangement of various utensils 214-216 that are magnetically affixed to stand 102 through the use of one or more of the plurality of magnets 106. For example, utensil 215 is illustrated as being magnetically affixed with a single magnet 115, rather than a plurality of magnets. However, other arrangements of the plurality of magnets 106 may also enable more than one magnet to be used. Thus, by proper arrangement of the plurality of magnets 106 across a face of stand 102, utensils 215-216 are not restricted to a particular location for attaching to stand 102. For example, by properly placing magnet 114 below magnet 115 along a face of stand 102, longer utensils may be relocated to virtually any location along a surface of stand 102 having magnets.

Utensil 214 illustrates one non-exhaustive, non-limiting example of the transparent properties of stand 102 enabling viewing through a first face 108 and an opposing second face 110 to see utensil 214 attached to stand 102. Also as shown, stand 102 is absent base 105. The thickness of stand 102 may vary. For example, various stands 102 may range from about 2 inches to about 4 inches, to provide stability to the stand 102 while in use. However, other values for the thickness of stand 102 may also be employed.

Other embodiments, as noted elsewhere, may include base 105. FIG. 2 also illustrates each of the plurality of magnets 106 as extending through stand 102 such that a first end of a magnet, such as magnet 114, is substantially flush with a surface of first face 108, and a second end of the magnet is substantially flush with a surface of a second face 110 of stand 102. Further, the ends of the magnets are not covered with the transparent material that composes stand 102, in at least one embodiment.

FIGS. 3A-3B show embodiments of sectional side details illustrating different magnet configurations for multi-sided stand assemblies 300A and 300B, respectively. Not all the components may be required to practice various embodiments, and variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made. Moreover, at least FIG. 3B illustrates a composite of different configurations for the plurality of magnets 106, and it should be noted that each of the different configurations need not be employed in a same assembly embodiment.

As shown in Assembly 300A of FIG. 3A, magnets 318 a-e are illustrated as having a first end and a second end that extends perpendicularly outward from a respective face at a distance to allow air to circulate between an affixed utensil 314 and/or utensil 315 and stand 102. The length of the magnet that may extend outward from a face may be of any of a variety of lengths. For example, the length may range from about 5 mm to about 10 mm, in some embodiments.

By employing this embodiment with extended magnets, utensils that may still be wet, are allowed to air dry while remaining securely affixed to stand 102. It is noted, however, that both ends of a magnet need not extend beyond a surface of a respective face. Thus, in another embodiment, magnets 318 a-c may be configured such that a first end of each magnet extends perpendicularly outward from a respective face, while a second end of each magnet remains substantially flush to a surface of an opposing other face. Other arrangements are also envisaged.

Assembly 300B of FIG. 3B illustrates a variety of different configurations for the plurality of magnets 106. For example, magnet 320 illustrates one arrangement where a first end of magnet 320 is substantially flush to a surface of first face 108 and a second end of magnet 320 is substantially flush to a surface of second face 110 of stand 102. Magnets 322-323 illustrate another embodiment for the plurality of magnets 106, where shortened magnets, such as disk shaped plugs, or the like, may be employed. As shown, magnets 322-323 do not extend through stand 102, but instead may be permanently affixed within a respective face. In this manner, an amount of magnetic material may be reduced, while still preserving the magnetic characteristics desired to affix various utensils to stand 102. Moreover, although magnets 322-323 are illustrated as being directly opposite each other within their respective faces, other embodiments may allow for magnet 322 to be positioned within its respective face at a different height or position than magnet 323.

Although each of the figures illustrates two faces for stand 102, other embodiments are not so constrained. For example, in at least one embodiment, stand 102 may be constructed as a block having four or more faces, each of the faces having a plurality of magnets disposed within, and further arranged across each face to magnetically affix a utensil having ferrous properties to any of the multiple faces. In one embodiment, the block may be approximately square at its bottom. In one embodiment, such a multi sided block might further include a mechanism that enables the block to rotate about an axis, such as a lazy Susan type of mechanism, attached to the bottom of the stand. In this manner, a consumer might merely rotate the block to obtain ready access to a utensil affixed to an opposing face of the block.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. 

1. A utensil stand assembly, comprising: a transparent stand having at least a first face and an opposing second face, the stand being formed of a non-ferromagnetic material and configured to stand independently upright on a resting surface so that the first and second face are substantially perpendicular to the resting surface; and a plurality of magnets disposed within each of the first and the second face of the transparent stand and arranged across each face to magnetically affix a ferrous utensil to one of the first face or the second face of the stand.
 2. The utensil stand assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a base that is removably affixed directly to the stand at one end of the stand to support the stand on the resting surface.
 3. The utensil stand assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of magnets is embedded within the stand such that one end of each magnet is flush to a surface of the first face, and a second end of each magnet is flush to a surface of the second face.
 4. The utensil stand assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one end of at least one magnet in the plurality of magnets extends perpendicularly outward from a respective face at a distance to allow air to circulate between the affixed utensil and the respective face of the stand.
 5. The utensil stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of magnets is arranged to be biased towards a top of each face.
 6. The utensil stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the transparent stand is constructed of one of a clear acrylic material, or a colored acrylic material.
 7. The utensil stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the transparent stand further comprises a slot to receive and display at least a photograph.
 8. A showcase stand assembly, comprising: a transparent stand having a first face and an opposing second face, the stand being formed of a non-ferromagnetic material; a base directly attached to the stand at one end of the stand to support the first and second faces of the stand in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the base; and a plurality of magnets disposed within each of the first face and the second face and arranged across each face to magnetically affix a utensil having ferrous properties to the first face or the second face of the stand.
 9. The showcase stand assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of magnets has an effective magnetic attraction exerted upon the utensil to magnetically affix the utensil absent use of a second magnet.
 10. The showcase stand assembly of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of magnets is embedded within the stand such that one end of each magnet is substantially flush to a surface of the first face, and a second end of each magnet is substantially flush to a surface of the opposing second face.
 11. The showcase stand assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of magnets extends perpendicularly outward from a respective face at a distance to allow air to circulate between the affixed utensil and the respective face of the stand.
 12. The showcase stand assembly of claim 8, wherein the base is removably attached to the stand.
 13. The showcase stand assembly of claim 8, wherein the stand and the base are both transparent and constructed of one of an acrylic clear material, or an acrylic colored material.
 14. The showcase stand assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of magnets is arranged in a plurality of rows across the first face.
 15. A stand assembly, comprising: a transparent stand having a first face and an opposing second face, the stand being formed of a non-ferromagnetic material; a base directly attached to the stand at one end of the stand to support the first and second faces of the stand in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the base; and a plurality of magnets disposed within each of the first face and the second face and arranged across each face to magnetically affix a utensil having ferrous properties to the stand.
 16. The stand assembly of claim 15, wherein the plurality of magnets is arranged in a pattern across the first face or the second face.
 17. The stand assembly of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of magnets is embedded within the stand such that one end of each magnet is substantially flush to a surface of the first face, and a second end of each magnet is substantially flush to a surface of the opposing second face.
 18. The stand assembly of claim 15, wherein at least end of one magnet in the plurality of magnets extends perpendicularly outward from a respective face at a distance to allow air to circulate between the affixed utensil and the respective face of the stand.
 19. The stand assembly of claim 15, wherein the base is removably attached to the stand.
 20. The stand assembly of claim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of magnets has an effective magnetic attraction exerted upon the utensil to magnetically affix the utensil absent use of a second magnet. 